Free Air
By Sinclair Lewis
Published by Harcourt, Brace and Howe: New York 1919 1st Edition
"Free Air follows the spirited journey of Claire Marner, a young woman from a modest Midwestern background who decides to leave her hometown for the bustling streets of New York City. Determined to prove that she can thrive without the safety net of family wealth, Claire takes a job as a stenographer and quickly discovers the challenges and opportunities that come with urban life. Through her eyes, the novel captures the excitement of the 1910s metropolis—its skyscrapers, social clubs, and the emerging culture of independence—while also exposing the stark contrasts between the promise of "free air" and the realities of competition, gender expectations, and economic uncertainty.
As Claire navigates love, friendship, and professional ambition, she encounters characters who embody both the optimism and the cynicism of the era. Her romance with a charismatic journalist highlights the tension between personal desire and societal pressure, while her friendships with fellow working women reveal a nascent solidarity among those seeking autonomy. By the novel's close, Claire's experiences illustrate a broader commentary on America's rapid modernization: the allure of freedom and opportunity is tempered by the need for resilience, self‑reliance, and an evolving sense of identity in a rapidly changing world."
Light wear and fading to covers and spine as shown. Binding is in good shape with no loose pages. No inscriptions. Pages with subtle age toning but otherwise clean. A nice 1st edition copy in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
